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The Car Care Clinic

Heat and Gas Usage

by Bob DeP.
AskBob@stretcher.com

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Hi Bob,
I was involved in an argument about whether cars burn more gas when the heater is on. Is that true? Do cars burn more gas when using the heater? If not, was there ever a time when they did? I appreciate the information.
E.



E,
When using the heater? No. When using the A/C, yes, maybe. The heat is just taken from the temperature built up from the coolant. To run the A/C, a compressor needs to be driven which adds load to the engine (However small it may be). The only thing that uses power in the heater system is the electric used to power the fan.
Good Luck!
Drive Safely!
Bob, The Auto Answer Man





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